PARA-CYCLING PRESS

South Africa’s Para-cycling community is relishing the idea of competing with their able-bodied counterparts in the 2014 SA National Track and Para-cycling Championship, which will be held at the Cyril Geoghegan Cycle Stadium in Durban from 29 April to 3 May 2014. Making this a particularly attractive prospect is the fact that para-cyclists participating in the National Championship will be reimbursed part of their expenses through grant funding provided by the Department of Sport and Recreation.

Last year’s national championship was also an integrated event and was enjoyed by all competitors. Cycling South Africa is anticipating great interest from the para-cycling community again this year.

Performances in the National Championship will determine the eligibility of para-cyclists for selection to South African teams that will compete internationally in the course of the next year. Rider achievements in international UCI races during 2014 will be very important in terms of contributing to nation points that will ultimately secure the number of Paralympic Games slots that are aimed for in the Rio 2016 SA Team Preparation Plan. Nation points begin accruing from this year onwards up to a cut-off point early in March 2016, when the para-cycling track World Championships may be hosted by South Africa. Following on from London 2012, the aim is to secure at least four male and two female slots for South Africa in road and track events at Rio.

Cycling South Africa

Cycling South Africa is the governing body of cycling in South Africa and is a member of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). It is affiliated to the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) as well as the Department of Sport & Recreation. Cycling South Africa regulates the five major disciplines within the sport, both amateur and professional, which include: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking, BMX Biking, Track Cycling and Para-Cycling. Cycling South Africa’s “2020 Vision” strategy, to cater for both the elite cyclist as well as the everyday two- and three-wheel lovers, contributes to the organisation being a dynamic, successful and highly respected governing body of cycling, at both National and International level. Cycling South Africa is committed to transformation and development of the sport and making it accessible to all via its development programmes.